Smoke-free cigarette

Abstract

The present invention relates to a smoke-free cigarette comprising a heat source disposed in a container, a reservoir containing nicotine and/or one or mote flavouring agents, and a trigger mechanism for the heat source. According to the claimed invention, the cigarette has an outer shell defining a space in which the heat source and the reservoir are disposed, the outer shell and/or the wall of the container being made of aluminium and/or stainless steel or comprising one or more of these materials.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A smoke-free cigarette comprising
 a heat source arranged in a first container ( 3 ), 
 a reservoir containing nicotine and/or one or more flavoring agents, and 
 a trigger mechanism ( 4 ) for the heat source, wherein 
 the cigarette has an outer sheath ( 1 ) that bounds a space in which the heat source and the reservoir are arranged, 
 the outer sheath ( 1 ) and/or a wall of the first container ( 3 ) comprises a material selected from the group consisting of aluminum, stainless steel, and mixtures thereof, 
 a second container ( 2 ) in which the reservoir is received, has one or more openings and a wall comprising a material selected from the group consisting of aluminum, stainless steel, and mixtures thereof, 
 the first container ( 3 ) containing the heat source is arranged within the reservoir; and 
 said second container ( 2 ) concentrically surrounds said first container ( 3 ). 
 
     
     
       2. A cigarette in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the heat source comprises a material capable of crystallization; and the trigger mechanism is configured to effect the crystallization. 
     
     
       3. A cigarette in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the wall of the first container is designed with air conducting means, in particular with grooves and/or fins, on its outer side to improve the drawing behavior. 
     
     
       4. A cigarette in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the heat carrier source comprises a phase change material present as an undercooled melt. 
     
     
       5. A cigarette in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein the phase change material is configured to generate a temperature in the phase change material during crystallization in the range from 60° C. to 90° C. 
     
     
       6. A cigarette in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein temperature sensitive color materials that have a color depending on the temperature are applied to the outer sheath. 
     
     
       7. A cigarette in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the outer sheath has two open ends. 
     
     
       8. A cigarette in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein a tobacco reservoir is located in one or both open ends. 
     
     
       9. A cigarette in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the cigarette has a mouthpiece. 
     
     
       10. A cigarette in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the reservoir and the heat source are present as modular components that can be nondestructively released from one another. 
     
     
       11. A cigarette in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the outer sheath ( 1 ) is closed by a plug ( 5 ) of tobacco at each end thereof, and with said first and second containers ( 2 ,  3 ) located between the plugs ( 5 ) of tobacco. 
     
     
       12. A cigarette in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein a mouthpiece ( 6 ) adjoins one of said plugs ( 5 ) of tobacco. 
     
     
       13. A cigarette in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said trigger mechanism ( 4 ) projects outwardly over the outer sheath ( 1 ). 
     
     
       14. A cigarette in accordance with  claim 13 , wherein said trigger mechanism ( 4 ) penetrates both said first and second containers ( 2 , 3 ).